Fab Friday: Blues man getting his rock on ahead of Fab festival

A veteran blues performer who is no stranger to the Richmond music scene hopes to wow crowds with his new rock style this summer.

Robin Bibi, who played at the Eel Pie Club on Thursday, is about to embark on a trip to the United States where he will record material for his new record.

He said: "We have got the new album on the go at the moment. It is a bit rocky.

"We have always been a little bit blues but we are not the sort of cry-in-your-beer-blues but this album is going to have a rock feel."

The guitarist is one of the UK’s top blues rock performers and worked with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and Ben E King.

He hopes his music-first mantra will grab audiences by the ears.

He said: "My ethos is that I always go out to entertain people without compromising the music.

"All that has changed over the years is the music that I am playing - my ethos has stayed the same.

"I want to draw people in by the music that I am playing and get them involved and that way they become more interested in what you are doing.

"It is about music and foremost and spreading it and celebrating it."

The guitar teacher from Tolworth is set to perform two shows at the Richmond Food and Beer (Fab) Festival in Old Deer Park this summer.

He said: "I am doing one show with the band and then another acoustic show on my own.

"I am looking forward to both and the acoustic show will be a bit more intimate."

The Robin Bibi Band, formed in the late 90s, roll together blues funk, rock and occasionally reggae to show off their unique feel-good concoction.

Bibi is a regular on the blues festival seen with bassist Tony Marten, who has worked with George Michael, and drummer Craig Bacon, who has played with Gloria Gaynor.

The festival will see music, food and beer come together for a three-day bank holiday weekend extravaganza, where guests can try beers from around the world and meet local food producers against the backdrop of music from Richmond’s Crawdaddy Club.

Bibi said: "It is going to be a lovely day out and I am looking forward to the food and beer.

"I really like real ale but don’t usually get a chance to drink much because I always drive to my gigs.

"Maybe if the album goes platinum between now and then I might be able to afford my own chauffeur to take me there."

Richmond Food and Beer Festival; Old Deer Park, Richmond; August 23 to 25; 10am to 10pm; £12 to £40; richmondfoodandale.co.uk.